Club U16 Championship – Semi-Final

Seneschalstown vs Simonstown

Venue: Seneschalstown GAA Club

Date: Monday 06^th May 2013

Half time: Seneschalstown 1 – 02 – Simonstown 0 – 03

Full Time: Seneschalstown 1 – 06 – Simonstown 3 – 05

Simonstown under 16 girls qualified for the Division 1 final in competent manner after overcoming their close rivals Seneschalstown in a semi -final played in Seneschalstown on Bank Holiday Monday. Confidence was down after Boardsmill beat them out the gate last week but the Simonstown girls somehow knew there was more to give. The challenge was stiff with the yellow furze girls having won the round game by 16 points. Simonstown started well with Kesley Nesbitt, Rachel Gardiner and Amy English all scoring points. A Seneschalstown goal saw them go in ahead at half time by two points.

As the second half started Simonstown stuck to their task, no more so than Lauren McLoughlin and Emma Cassidy who were outstanding. Shona Lister and Kelsey Nesbitt adapted their games well in midfield. It came natural to both. Inspite of missing frees and points from play the goals came from the boot of Lauren McLoughlin and two super finishes from Aisling Duffy. Ruth Coughlan chipped in with an important score and Simonstown hung on.  Credit must be given to the Seneschalstown girls who had a very good year under the stewardship of Valerie Gilsenan. Things just didn’t go their way on the day. Simonstown now have a really tough final to face but inside they will be feeling much better about the season. They have nothing to lose now. Best for Simonstown were Regina Hand, Emma Cassidy, Aisling Duffy and Lauren McLoughlin.

Simonstown Panel:

Aimee Jones, Adrianna Burca, Kelsey Nesbitt (0-1), Hayley Costello, Nicole Byrne, Ruth Coughlan (0-1), Rachel Gardiner (0-2), Aisling Duffy (2-0), Lauren McLoughlin (1-0), Shona Lister, Sophie McDermott, Ella Devine, Regina Hand, Katie Bellew, Emma Cassidy (Capt.), Amy English (0-1), Aoibhinn McGoona

Simonstown Under 16s get big boost win

Club U16 Championship – Rd 4

Ratoath vs Simonstown

Venue: Ratoath GAA Club

Monday 22^nd April 2013

Full Time: Ratoath 6-14 vs Simonstown 10-6

Simonstown under 16 girls somehow pulled out a memorable victory after conceding 6-14 in a pulsating game in Ratoath on Monday. To give away six goals and fourteen points normally would be a toasting for any team but somehow Simonstown managed to keep their season alive with a win, god only knows.

Simonstown struggled early on as Amy Gaffney and Ellie O’Neill got into their stride and asked plenty of questions. Ruth Coughlan coming back from injury took a goal well which seemed like a consolation as half time approached. Ratoath deservedly went in with a ten point lead. Surely there was no way back, the Simonstown girls never bought it.

The second half exploded into action when Rachel Gardiner looped the ball over the keeper from a free. She repeated the trick later in the half. Gardiner showed a big improvement from early games. Regina Hand then goaled. Laura Barrett and Kelsey Nesbitt came on and the game suddenly opened up and the scores flowed. Ratoath for their part scored a further 3-5 but Niamh Hand, Shona Lister and Katie Bellew defended so well. Ruth Coughlan continually threatened and got another great goal. Kelsey Nesbitt rounded off a great team goal and then chipped the keeper, after the Ratoath player went for a little walk.

Through the game, Simonstown were behind all the way. Ella Devine replaced Regina Hand in the forwards and coolly rolled the ball past the keeper to put Simonstown ahead with just 2 minutes to go. It was fitting that Kelsey Nesbitt finished the job after great work by Niamh Donnelly in midfield. Nesbitt cracked a screamer as a goal looked impossible.

The referee then blew the whistle with Simonstown victorious and mentors and parents alike thrilled with the girls efforts. It was an excellent team performance but special mention must go for the second game in a row to Niamh Donnelly and Niamh Cassidy (both under 14), who were excellent in midfield. Kelsey Nesbitt’s threat in front of goal showed she could become an even better player now than she was before her injury. Number 15, Ruth Coughlan put in her best performance yet. All in all everybody contributed and they needed to as they were facing elimination from the competition. Simonstown will play Boardsmill in their final game next Wednesday and are now hopeful of ending with more wins than losses.

The Simonstown panel was: Lauren McLaughlin, Emma Cassidy, Aimee Jones, Hayley Costello, Shona Lister, Regina Hand (1-1), Nicole Byrne, Ruth Coughlan (2-3), Adrianna Burca, Kelsey Nesbitt (3-0), Sophie McDermott, Niamh Cassidy (1-0), Rachel Gardiner (2-1), Ella Devine (V. Capt (1-0), Holly O’Brien, Niamh Donnelly, Aimee Jones, Katie Bellew (Capt), Laura Barrett (0-1)

Club U16 Championship – Rd 3

Simonstown vs Clann na nGael

Venue: Simonstown GAA Club

Tuesday 16^th April 2013

Full Time: Simonstown 2-10 Clann na nGael 0-7

Simonstown under 16 girls got the win their efforts deserved and at last the weather calmed for them. It was a much improved performance by the team as they picked up three points against a gallant Clann na nGael side in Simonstown Monday 16th. From the get go, the balance of the team was better as they had more determination and danger in their forward endeavours. They went in 1-7 to 0-1 up at half time. Clann na nGael did make some telling attacks but the half back line of Shona Lister, Emma Cassidy and Lauren McLoughlin were excellent. Kelsey Nesbitt played her first full game and made a telling impact with piercing runs. She was unlucky not to get a “gaelic hat trick” finishing the game with 2-0. Rachel Gardiner did her fair share too with a 0-3 effort with Aimee Jones also showing her future potential to the team.

In the second half, Simonstown took the foot off the pedal a bit but still tagged on a further 1-3. Niamh Donnelly was excellent on gaining possession from kickouts and both Ella Devine and Holly O’Brien showed more improvement from the last game. The girls will now play Ratoath on Monday 22^nd April and this is a must win if they want to take their place in the semi-finals. There is loads more room for improvement from this group of girls but at least they have given themselves a chance now

The Simonstown panel was: Lauren McLaughlin, Emma Cassidy, Aimee Jones, Hayley Costello, Shona Lister (Capt), Regina Hand (0-1), Nicole Byrne, Ruth Coughlan (0-1), Adrianna Burca (0-1), Kelsey Nesbitt (2-1), Sophie McDermott, Niamh Cassidy, Rachel Gardiner (0-3), Ella Devine (0-1), Holly O’Brien, Aisling Duffy, Niamh Donnelly (0-1), Aimee Jones (0-1)

Club U16 Championship – Rd 2

Simonstown vs Dunboyne

Venue: Simonstown GAA Club

Sunday 14^th April 2013

Full Time: Simonstown 3-3 Dunboyne 2-7

Simonstown under 16 girls lost out narrowly in a fantastic game of football on their own patch on Sunday afternoon 14^th April. Dunboyne were the visitors and credit them for nicking the game at the end. In truth, the conditions spoiled the game with a very strong breeze blowing across the field and indeed swirling at times too. Simonstown went in 1-2 to 0-2 ahead at half time but really should have been further ahead as they were playing with the wind. Captain Rachel Gardiner struck a lovely point from 40 yards in that half and Ruth Coughlan rounded off a great team goal.

The second half saw the Simonstown girls with their backs against the wall as Dunboyne relentlessly attacked Nicole Byrnes’s goal. At times, Simonstown got the break of the ball and Ella Devine, Emma Cassidy and Kelsey Nesbitt defended really well. Nicole showed why she is the county Under 16 keeper as her anticipation of danger was first class. Regina Hand was much more prominent at number 11 in the second half and both Linda Ducie and Laura Barrett came on to score great goals. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and Dunboyne chipped away at the Simonstown lead and took over just before the final whistle. There were many positives to take from the game from a Simonstown point of view. In the game, there was much more desire in the girls play and their passing was much more accurate. The team will learn a lot from narrow defeats like this but Simonstown must get motoring now and will now play Clann na nGael on Tuesday night 16^th April. They will need to improve another little bit and show the same desire to put themselves back in the competition.

The Simonstown panel was Amy English, Katie Bellew, Laura Barrett (1-0), Lauren McLaughlin, Emma Cassidy, Aimee Jones, Hayley Costello, Shona Lister, Regina Hand (0-1), Nicole Byrne, Ruth Coughlan (1-0), Adrianna Burca (V. Capt), Kelsey Nesbitt (0-1), Sophie McDermott, Niamh Cassidy, Rachel Gardiner (0-1) (Capt), Linda Ducie (1-0), Ella Devine, Holly O’Brien.